Locals have begun voicing their concerns about possible plans to build 4,500 houses around Hatton Station, with a campaign group - Keep Hatton Station Rural (KHSR) - recently launched.

Hill Residential is working to promote 262 hectares of land around the village, hoping the mainly agricultural land will be included in the much-delayed South Warwickshire Local Plan (SWLP).

Being compiled by Warwick and Stratford District Councils, the major planning document will determine how some 35,000 houses will be built in the region.

And council big wigs have hinted the SWLP could include a brand new community.

For Hill Residential and the Arkwright family - who own the land - that is what they are eying for Hatton station.

We have taken a look into the 320-page document prepared by planners Turley which could help shape the future of the local area.

An outline of the proposed new community (image via SWLP)

Backbone of the estate

In its report, Turley says the existing Hatton Country World, station and technology park will provide the backbone of the estate.

It also says the single ownership of the site will ease the process of turning the "successful rural enterprise and visitor attraction into a railway-connected, technology-rich new residential community".

And with a swimming pool, pub and nursery already in place, the areas is described as having the "key ingredients" to be developed.

The report explains: "The core of facilities and social infrastructure already present at Hatton Country World, Hatton Shopping Village and Hatton Technology Park will act as the backbone for a new settlement contributing to place-making and identity from day one. 

"The existing business will continue to thrive but provides the foundation for a unique new community."

Design

Originally bought by the Arkwright family in the 1830's, a previous attempt to promote the land was made through the previous local plan.

The latest report says the schemes offers the opportunity to further the family's legacy in the area.

As part of this, Turley says the 4,500 will not be repetitive sequence of the same house types and designs.

"The overall site layout is structured to provide a rich mix of streets and spaces with a strong local character acting as a unifying thread throughout," the report explained.

"Neighbourhoods, like their residents, must not be homogeneous and monotone, but respond to each aspect, edge and location in a considered manner that reflects the locality."

The masterplans includes "nodes and small spaces" near homes to provide character.

A community orchard is also featured as well as the "gift" of a major canal-side park which would run from Hatton Locks to the station.

Sustainability

The designs also claim to include a number of schemes linked to sustainability - in all its senses.

As well as claiming the new community will result in habitat creation and 10 per biodiversity net gain, the masterplan also says it will help support the new residents.

Some 3,000 jobs are expected to be created - split across construction, education, the construction supply chain and other industries.

This will come in part due to the 30,000sq ft increase in space at the technology park.

There is also ambition for a farm shop.

"The existence of a successful visitor attraction with extensive facilities that can form a ready-made centre, all in single ownership and under the stewardship of a family that lives in and is heavily invested in the area, gives it extra credibility and genuine commitment to achieving a true legacy development," the report asserts.

Education

As well as the 4,500 new homes, Turley has also considered the need for new schools.

In the prospective timeline for the development - which will be subject to the completion of the SWLP - is earmarks 2035 for the completion of the new "education hub".

Planners say the development will need 900 secondary school places, and includes a six-form entry secondary school.

Meanwhile three, two-form entry and two, three-form entry primary schools will accommodate the 1,300 primary school children.

"There would be potential for an all-through school and we have started to explore with officers different ways of delivering educational provision given the innovative approaches taken locally in both south Leamington and Kenilworth," the report added.

Active travel

The 'vision document' for the Hatton new community says the development would provide "opportunity to enhance cycling infrastructure".

Included in the plans are a number of cycle routes with connections to national cycle networks route 41 and 52.

There is also an extended plan for how Dark Lane will be diverted over the canal and be promoted for active travel above the use of cars.

The report explains: "Hatton New Community offers an exciting opportunity to adopt a different strategy to invigorate and empower the manner in which new homes are brought forward with identity, character, beauty and the right level of infrastructure to support the community and meet the needs of the region."

A CGI impression of a cycle hub at Hatton Station (image via SWLP)

Residents' reactions

Speaking to Nub News last month, KHSR secretary Joyce Bevan said residents are not necessarily against the idea of building new homes. But she said a development of this size is in the wrong place and of the wrong scale for Hatton.

"It can't happen here, we haven't got the infrastructure here," she said.

"It can't happen here. This is the wrong place and the wrong development for this area."

Ms Bevan added: "There is a real lack of infrastructure for 4,500 homes - that is the equivalent of 360 Wembley football stadia which puts it in perspective! 

"One of our key issues is infrastructure in terms of highways."

In particular, the group has pointed to the major impact of Taylor Wimpey's 120 new houses being built on Birmingham Road.